Mikel John Obi

"I went to Manchester United, they said they wanted to sign me but it didn't come up because what they promised, they did not fulfill." - Mikel John Obi

For some reason his birth certificate reads "Mikel John Obi," but we could swear Chelsea's burgeoning midfielder's middle name is "Controversy." At least it should be. Despite his undeniable talent, the Nigerian's career has been plagued by various infamous incidents including a sketchy and lengthy dispute between Manchester United and Chelsea over his rights, and a series of incidents on the pitch that have exposed an unattractive temper. Still, his fearlessness and intelligence on the pitch make him a vital asset to both club and country, and if Nigeria has any hopes of making waves at the 2010 World Cup, Mikel John Obi will have to be at the top of his game.

MAGNETISM

For all the ladies that like the bad boy, Mikel John Obi is their man. Granted he's only 23 years-old, so his various indiscretions may be brushed aside as simple youthful arrogance, but at what point should we stop cutting this kid some slack? After various petulant incidents on the pitch and a DUI that saw him hit two times the legal alcohol limit, this much is clear: Mikel John Obi don't care 'bout no one but Mikel John Obi. So, ladies, if you like guys that will sneak into your bedroom window in the dead of night for a quickie, and will key your dad's car because he looked at him funny, we repeat: Mikel John Obi is your man.

SUCCESS

Despite his many well documented on and off field indiscretions, there's no question that Mikel John Obi is an asset to any team he plays for. Just ask the heads of Manchester United and Chelsea, who waged a strenuous legal battle to acquire his rights. In the end, Chelsea wound up victorious, and Obi has been a forceful presence in their midfield ever since. The two-time African Young Player of the Year, and Chelsea Young Player of the Year was an instrumental force in helping Chelsea win a Premier League title, two FA Cups, a League Cup, and a Community Shield. With a reputation for thriving on the grandest of stages, Nigeria will be counting on their young star to stifle the world's best when the 2010 World Cup kicks off in South Africa this June.

Mikel John Obi Biography

Mikel John Obi was born with football in his blood. His father played football as a teenager, and even managed to make waves for his local side Gombe XI, but in a time when his country was in the midst of a civil war, there was no money to be made for footballers. His son grew up under very different circumstances, in a time where African-born footballers were a hot commodity in Europe's top leagues. After being noticed by a local football academy, Obi was trained heavily before joining Plateau United, a club in the Nigerian Championship. After starring for Nigeria's Under-17 side at the 2003 World Youth Championship and the Under-20 side at the 2005 competition (where he won the Silver Ball for the tournament's second best player), Obi was scouted by the top brass at Manchester United, and Chelsea, which set the stage for his climb to the top of the footballing world.

europe's top clubs fight for the right to sign mikel john obi

As one of the most coveted players in the world, Mikel John Obi attracted the attention of Europe's top clubs. While under contract with Norway's Lyn Oslo, Manchester United announced that they had signed the young midfielder, and even held a press conference that saw Obi don a Red Devil jersey. But Chelsea claimed that they had reached an agreement with Obi, and that Man U had pressured him to sign with them instead. It wasn't long before the conflict spiraled out of control, with claims that Obi had been receiving threatening phone calls forcing his squad to assign him a personal squad. In an even stranger turn of events, Obi went missing from the stands during a Norwegian Cup game, which led some to believe that he had been kidnapped.

Manchester United's assistant manager, Carlos Queiroz, went so far as to accuse Chelsea of being involved in the alleged kidnapping. It was eventually learned that Obi had traveled to London with his agent to visit Chelsea representatives. After months of legal wrangling, Chelsea ended up paying Manchester United and Lyn Oslo a combined £16 million for the rights to Obi, a bold move whose consequences would be felt in time.

mikel john obi struggles at stamford bridge

Though no one questioned his talent, Mikel John Obi's immaturity on the pitch and reckless lifestyle off it began to concern those closest to him. He was fined by Chelsea after showing up late to practice on three separate occasions, and coach Jose Mourinho had growing concerns about his young star's affinity for London nightlife. After the club dropped him for a month and Obi's father expressed concerns about his behavior, the burgeoning midfielder adjusted his attitude and remedied his bad habits, before returning to the club and impressing in several big games.

mikel john obi hits his stride with chelsea

Though he still showcased problems with his temper by being sent off in several matches for acts of violence or retaliation, Mikel John Obi began to show fans and his bosses why they spent a fortune to bring him to Stamford Bridge. With increased playing time due to an injury to Michael Essien, Obi emerged as a steady presence in the midfield, and in 2009, he signed a five-year contract extension with the Blues. Though his career is just getting started, Obi already has a Premier League winner's medal, a League Cup and three FA Cups under his belt. With this winner's mentality, he should be vital to Nigeria's chances in South Africa at the 2010 World Cup.